The Ultimate Evil: The Search for the Sons of Sam

The landmark true-crime investigation that inspired a Netflix docuseries, following journalist Maury Terry's decades-long search for answers behind one of America's most infamous and terrifying murder cases.

The official story ended with one arrest. Maury Terry believed it was only the beginning.

When David Berkowitz was arrested for the Son of Sam murders in 1977, New York believed the nightmare was over. But investigative journalist Maury Terry spent decades examining evidence, interviewing witnesses, and pursuing unanswered questions that led him to challenge the widely accepted narrative surrounding one of America's most notorious serial murder cases.

In this in-depth account, Terry documents his years-long investigation into the Son of Sam case, exploring overlooked evidence, disputed theories, alleged accomplices, and the larger questions that continued to haunt investigators long after Berkowitz's conviction. Whether readers ultimately agree with Terry's conclusions or not, the book remains one of the most influential—and controversial—works in modern true crime, inspiring the acclaimed Netflix documentary The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness.

• Deep, investigative look at the Son of Sam murders and David Berkowitz case written by acclaimed investigative journalist Maury Terry
• Examines evidence, witnesses, and unanswered questions surrounding the Son of Sam murders
• Features a new introduction by filmmaker Josh Zeman, director of the Netflix series inspired by the book
• Ideal for readers of investigative journalism, cold cases, and documentary companion books

Experience the investigation that inspired a global true-crime phenomenon and discover why this landmark classic continues to spark discussion today.

Maury Terry was an award-winning investigative reporter whose work was prominently featured in both television and print media. He wrote for the Gannett newspaper chain, Vanity Fair, Gear, and Penthouse, among others. He reported on and coproduced nearly a dozen national TV specials about the Son of Sam conspiracy. Terry died in Yonkers, New York, in 2015.

Joshua Zeman has been at the forefront of the true crime genre for the past decade. He is the director of the critically acclaimed film Cropsey, the docuseries The Killing Season, and Murder Mountain.